Mexican cartel leader captured... Country turns into a battlefield

Audias Flores Silva, known for his ties to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of Mexico's most dangerous criminal organizations, and for whom the U.S. had offered a 5 million dollar reward, was taken into custody during a large-scale operation in the western state of Nayarit. Mexico's Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Omar Garcia Harfuch, announced on social media that the operation was successfully completed with the coordination of the Secretariat of the Navy and the participation of special forces.

It was reported that the captured leader was already highly sought after in the country and was also wanted in the U.S. for drug-related crimes. According to reports from agencies, Flores Silva had a security detail of approximately 60 people and a convoy of 30 vehicles to ensure his safety, but the operation concluded without any armed conflict. As part of the security forces' preparations, approximately 100 soldiers, 6 helicopters, and 4 aircraft were deployed.

TENSIONS NATIONWIDE FOLLOWING THE CAPTURE

Following the cartel leader's capture, organization members carried out organized actions in many Mexican cities. In the cities of Tecuala, Acaponeta, and Ahuacatlán in the state of Nayarit, vehicles, shops, and warehouses were set on fire, and roads were blocked with barricades. Public institutions called on citizens not to leave their homes unless necessary.

While security officials called for calm following the operation, there are concerns that the incidents could spread to other cities.

LEADERSHIP STRUGGLE TRIGGERS VIOLENCE

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel has been one of the most active structures in Mexico's organized crime dynamics in recent years. In recent months, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, nicknamed "El Mencho," one of the organization's founders and its number one figure, was killed in a clash with security forces. The removal of El Mencho has intensified the leadership struggle within the cartel and triggered violent incidents across the country.

During this period, roads were blocked, public transport services were suspended, and streets turned into scenes of fire, particularly in Jalisco. According to official sources, 55 people, including 25 security personnel, lost their lives in the events following El Mencho's death.

Experts frequently state that operations against organized crime structures in Mexico can have critical consequences for public safety, especially following the capture or killing of leaders.